Yellow Fever

Yellow fever is common in parts of Africa and South America. In fact, in Africa about 170,000 people get it every year. Yellow fever is not found in the United States — and thanks to the vaccine, travelers rarely get the disease.

The yellow fever vaccine is only recommended for people living in or traveling to places where yellow fever is a risk — or for people who work in labs studying the virus.

Sanofi Pasteur, the manufacturer of the only yellow fever vaccine (YF-Vax) licensed in the United States, has announced that YF-Vax will be unavailable from mid-2017 to mid-2018 because of delays in the production process.

Most people who get yellow fever will only get a mild form of the disease. But in some cases, people with yellow fever can develop serious complications — including organ failure or bleeding. Serious cases of yellow fever can be deadly.

If you’re planning to travel to parts of South America or Africa where yellow fever is common, or you work in a lab studying yellow fever, getting vaccinated can protect you.

The yellow fever vaccine is recommended for people age 9 months and older who are living in or traveling to parts of Africa or South America where there’s a risk of yellow fever. It’s also recommended for people studying yellow fever in labs.

Travelers

Everyone ages 9 months through 59 years who plans to travel to parts of Africa or South America where yellow fever is a risk needs 1 dose of the yellow fever vaccine. If you plan to continue living in or traveling to that country, it’s possible you’ll need a booster shot every 10 years.

Some countries may require yellow fever vaccination

Some countries may require proof that you’ve been vaccinated against yellow fever. When you get vaccinated, ask for an International Certificate of Vaccination or Prophylaxis, which is proof that you have been vaccinated. The certificate is valid starting 10 days after you get the vaccine.

People who have had a life-threatening allergic reaction to the yellow fever vaccine or any of the ingredients in the vaccine (like eggs, chicken proteins, or gelatin)

Infants younger than 6 months

People with a weakened immune system from ongoing medical conditions, like HIV (with symptoms) or a disorder of the thymus (part of your immune system)

People who have cancerous tumors

People who have had an organ transplant

Some people may be at increased risk for having a reaction to the yellow fever vaccine — but the benefit of the vaccine may still outweigh the risk. Talk with your doctor about the benefits and risks of getting the yellow fever vaccine if you are:

Age 60 and older

Infected with HIV but don’t have symptoms

Pregnant or breastfeeding

You’ll also need to discuss the benefits and risks of vaccination for your child if they are between 6 and 8 months old.